The January 2023 issue of IUFRO-Japan News features: - a Participation Report on the ALL-IUFRO CONFERENCE 2022 KOHSAKA Ryo, The University of Tokyo; - a Report on IUFRO OKINAWA 2022: Progress in Small-scale Forestry beyond the Pandemic and Global Climate Change MAEDA Chiharu, University of Hyogo; - a Participation Report on the IUFRO Okinawa 2022 HAYAFUNE Masato, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute; - Participation Report on the IUFRO Conference Division 7 – Forest Health, Pathology and Entomology Lisbon 6-9 September 2022 NAKAMURA Katsunori, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute; - Report on Participation in the 5th International Conference on Radioecology & Environmental Radioactivity in 2022 KOMATSU Masabumi, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute; - Information of "XXVI IUFRO World Congress 2024"; and - a Notice from the Secretariat.

In recent years, Europe has experienced a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires. These extreme wildfires have resulted in devastating consequences, including the loss of life, destruction of natural habitats, damage to infrastructure and the release of harmful emissions impacting air quality. Be part of the solution and help tackle the challenges of Extreme Wildfires in Europe and beyond. Participate in the FIRE-RES Open Innovation Challenge and help build more resilient landscapes and safe communities.

The third episode of 'Branching out: the forest podcast' is out! In line with the IUFRO 2024 World Congress theme "Towards a responsible forest bioeconomy", the podcast hosts and their guests venture into responsible forest bioeconomy and listen to how forest bioeconomy contributes to sequestering carbon, mitigating climate change, creating jobs and developing rural areas.

Forests are essential for ensuring the ecological balance and viability of the planet. In today's environment, where we are constantly facing complex environmental challenges, wars, disasters and climate change, the study and conservation of the forest ecosystem is a priority.

The University of Georgia (UGA), the flagship public, land-grant and sea-grant university of the state of Georgia, seeks an experienced and energetic leader to serve as the Dean of the Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. The Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the School, reporting to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. The University seeks candidates who are innovative and accomplished leaders in their field, forward-thinking professionals who have a strong commitment to academic excellence and are dedicated to furthering an accessible and inclusive campus environment and engagement with the relevant industries in Georgia and beyond. The Dean will provide energetic and visionary leadership as well as principled administrative guidance and advocacy for the tripartite mission of the School in teaching, research, and public service/outreach.

The international conference "The Forest factor" was held in Rome, Italy, on 6 and 7 June 2023, at the Roma Tre University, with the aim of placing the emphasis on the protection of forests, as an essential element in the fight against climate change, and on their vital importance for biodiversity, the carbon, water and energy cycles on a planetary scale.

Join the FIRE-RES Open Innovation Challenge Q&A Webinar on 18 October 2023 at 15:00 CEST. The webinar intends to address all the inquiries, questions, and doubts of potential applicants. During the webinar, the FIRE-RES Open Innovation Challenge, the benefits of participating, and the application process will be revisited.

This course intends to establish a clear path towards a more efficient and effective use of forest data, underscoring the crucial significance of institutionalizing a robust national forest monitoring system (NFMS) within countries. Additionally, it emphasizes transparency, sustainability, and data-sharing as critical pillars for the successful implementation of an NFM strategy. This course is designed for individuals who have an interest in establishing and developing a national forest monitoring system (NFMS), and to learn about the institutionalization process. The course targets legal experts, ministries, government officers, academia and private sector among others involved in the design and establishment of an NFMS. This course offers certification (digital badge).

The Center for Natural Carbon Capture at Yale University is accepting applications for its Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. The mission of the Center is to foster research on carbon capture and greenhouse gas reduction that will contribute to the design and implementation of climate solutions. We welcome applicants with research interests across the full range of disciplines related to the Center’s three focal areas: Ecological and Biological Carbon Capture; Geological and Ocean Carbon Capture, and Industrial Carbon Utilization. Candidates need to identify and contact faculty with the relevant expertise to discuss their proposed project and ensure the faculty member is willing and able to host them. Faculty hosts can be from any school/department at Yale, including the School of the Environment, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and any relevant department within the Faculty of Arts Sciences. Applications lacking a letter of support from a potential Yale faculty host will not be considered.

The 2023 Marcus Wallenberg Prize is awarded to Drs Darius M. Adams, Joseph Buongiorno and Richard Haynes for their development of the original and groundbreaking forest economic models TAMM and PAPYRUS and its extension to the global forest products model GFPM.

Dr. Buongiorno also won the IUFRO Scientific Achievement Award in 2005. Dr. Hayes coordinated former IUFRO Research Group 6.1.600 - Forest Sector Analysis.

The Marcus Wallenberg Prize 2023 will be presented by HM the King of Sweden at a ceremony in Stockholm in November this year.